Temporal MIdface Lift Recovery

Q: Dr. Eppley, I’m 5 months post operation from a temporal midface lift. I had some questions about my recovery as my own surgeon is not being very helpful in answering my enquiries.

On one half of my face, I seem to be having some issues with nerve recovery. My motor function is all intact but my sensory nerves seem to be having some trouble? 

When I blink, I can feel a tiny tickling sensation near the side of my nose. It’s been this way since one or two month post op and I haven’t been aware of any dramatic improvement. It’s not painful and it doesn’t burn, but it’s a very tiny tickling feeling every time I blink. It’s quite bothersome and annoying as I’m always feeling and aware of it, and I always have to aggressively massage it away. (After a few minutes the tickle every time i blink still comes back) Moreso, when I very lightly brush my finger down the bridge of my nose, I can feel the same tiny tickling feeling next to my nose. 

My surgeon says to wait it out for another 7 months. But it’s been bothering me for so long and my mind is always thinking about it. 

I’m not sure if I should be worried at 5 months post-op but there just hasn’t been any big improvements in the last two months. I’m worried it’s permanent. What could I possibly be experiencing and what are my options to resolve if?

A: The reality is that all you can do is wait and see how much the sensory nerves recover as there is no operation or treatment for them if they don’t. In addition it can take up to 12 to 18 months for such sensory nerves to exhibit a maximal recovery.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana